WCHS Athlete of the Week

A.J. Whitman has found the end zone plenty so far this season, and now he has found his way back to Athlete of the Week honors.

Whitman has been named the Main Street Journal's Reddick Brown Ford WCHS Athlete of the Week for Sept. 13-19 after another big performance helped Warren County extend its winning streak to three games with a 41-12 road victory at Hixson.

The junior quarterback carried the ball 31 times for 194 yards and four touchdowns as the Pioneers improved to 3-2 after opening the season with a pair of narrow losses. Whitman also completed seven passes for 91 yards, giving him 285 yards of total offense in the win.

Whitman found the end zone twice in the first half, scoring on runs of two and 13 yards to help Warren County build a 21-6 halftime advantage. He added a 19-yard touchdown on the Pioneers’ opening drive of the second half before scoring from 3 yards out in the fourth quarter.

While Whitman has been the centerpiece of Warren County’s rushing attack, he has had plenty of help clearing the way. Following the Pioneers’ win over Franklin County a week earlier, coach Eric Belew praised an offensive line that has taken pride in having the ball run behind it.

“Our guys up front are begging for the ball to be ran behind them,” Belew said. “They want the ball run their way. Our guys take it personal when we run the opposite direction.”

That group helped Warren County pile up 316 rushing yards at Hixson, with Dylan Aguilar providing another big-play threat alongside Whitman with 98 yards on just five carries, including an 81-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Marek Sadlon also delivered one of the Pioneers’ biggest plays through the air with a 50-yard touchdown reception from Whitman before halftime.

Whitman’s 194-yard night pushed him to 922 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns through Warren County’s first five games. He has topped 190 yards in three of his last four outings, including a season-high 236 yards in the Pioneers’ 34-21 victory over Franklin County.

Whitman previously earned WCHS Athlete of the Week honors for Aug. 31-Sept. 5 after rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-12 win over Hunters Lane, Warren County’s first victory of the season.

Next up for Whitman and the Pioneers is a return to Nunley Stadium, where Warren County will put its three-game winning streak on the line against Stone Memorial on Friday, Sept. 25.